We Walk By Faith: Accessible Spiritual Contemplation for All
Accessible Ignatian Contemplation
There are many introductions to Ignatian contemplation available today. However, most of them—much like Ignatius himself—rely heavily on the sense of sight to help readers enter prayer through the Gospel stories.
Fr Justin Glyn SJ and Sr Mary O’Shanessy FCJ are both legally blind Ignatian religious. Through their own experience of prayer, they have developed adaptations to Ignatian contemplation that make the tradition more accessible. Drawing on this experience, they propose a more inclusive approach—one designed to support people with a wide range of disabilities, including sensory and cognitive disabilities.
Their current project is titled We Walk By Faith: Accessible Spiritual Contemplation for All. The book is expected to be approximately 80,000 words and is divided into two main parts:
1. Rest Awhile with Matthew, Mark, or Luke
A shorter set of contemplations that move through the Synoptic Gospels.
Designed especially for people with intellectual or other impairments, and for those who have limited time for prayer.
2. Stay Awhile with Matthew, Mark, or Luke
A longer, more detailed set of contemplations on the Synoptic Gospels.
Written in a more reflective and discursive style.
How the contemplations work
Both sections progress sequentially through the narrative passages of the three Synoptic Gospels.
Each contemplation includes:
an accessible and gentle introduction to the Gospel scene,
followed by a set of guiding questions that support the person praying—either individually or with the help of a spiritual director.
The aim of this work is to offer an Ignatian prayer experience that welcomes everyone, regardless of ability, sensory experience, or learning style.
Access the resources
Click below to access the available resources. Each link will take you directly to a specific resource:
Rest Awhile – Matthew
Rest Awhile – Mark
Rest Awhile – Luke
Stay Awhile – Matthew
Stay Awhile – Luke